Oxley, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids OxleyNew South Wales |
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Entry sign
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 Oxley
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 159 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2711 |
| LGA(s) | Balranald Shire |
| County | Waljeers |
| State electorate(s) | Murray |
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer |
Oxley is a small community in the Riverina area of New South Wales, Australia. It sits on the lower Lachlan River, close to where it meets the Murrumbidgee River. The town started in the mid-1860s. It was named after John Oxley, a famous Australian explorer. In 2006, about 159 people lived in Oxley.
Contents
The Story of Oxley
The Muthi Muthi People
Oxley is part of the traditional lands of the Muthi Muthi Aboriginal tribe. In 1836, explorer Major Mitchell met a Muthi Muthi woman named Tourandury. He took her and her four-year-old daughter, Ballandella, from Oxley to guide him. Tourandury also helped another explorer, Charles Sturt, when his boat tipped over on the Murrumbidgee River.
Sadly, Ballandella was taken from her mother. She was brought to Sydney to be educated by Mitchell and his friend. Today, many Muthi Muthi people are descendants of important ancestors like Queen Caroline of Oxley and her sister Judy.
Early Stations: Oxley and Tupra
In the mid-1840s, two men named Phelps and Chadwick started a large farm, called a "run," on the Lachlan River. They called it "Thelangerin West." In 1848, Thomas D'Archy bought this farm. He changed its name to "Oxley" and called the main house "Oxley House."
Across the Lachlan River, on the north side, was another large farm called "Tupra." The Tyson brothers owned it since the 1840s. By the 1860s, James Tyson was the only owner of "Tupra."
Building the Town of Oxley
In the mid-1860s, James Tyson saw a chance to start a business. He built a hotel at a new town forming on his "Tupra" farm. This new town was a good spot because it was where people crossed the river. In November 1866, a newspaper said that Mr. Tyson's new brick hotel would open soon in the "new township of Oxley."
People wanted a bridge over the Lachlan River. In December 1866, a request was sent to the government to build one. At that time, there was only a boat to help people cross. In March 1868, the government sold land lots in Oxley.
Tyson's hotel was named the Oxley Hotel. Over the years, different people managed it. In December 1870, a second hotel opened in Oxley. It was called the Stockman's Hotel. However, it closed a few years later, leaving the Oxley Hotel as the only one.
James Tyson still owned the Oxley Hotel. He rented it out to different managers. In 1878, Michael Joseph Delandre took over the hotel. He also ran a small store. A visitor in 1879 said the Oxley Hotel was "comfortable and cleanly."
Delandre also built a special floating bridge, called a pontoon bridge, across the river. This bridge was very helpful for people and animals traveling through. It also allowed coaches to run between nearby towns. However, just two years later, another traveler said the bridge was in very bad condition.
In 1881, Oxley had two hotels again when the Royal Hotel opened. The managers of the hotels changed a few times. The Oxley Post Office opened in November 1884 but closed in 1969.
Around 1888, the Royal Hotel stopped operating. In 1889, a new hotel called the Commercial Hotel opened. It might have been the old Royal Hotel with a new name. The Oxley Hotel continued to operate as well.
In 1890, a company bought the "Oxley" farm. Later, in 1912, R. P. McFarland bought it.
